Melbourne Swimming Club (MSC) is excited to announce the appointment of experienced coach, Lucky Weerakkody as the new Senior Coach of the MSC Geelong program starting 1st January 2024. Lucky will replace Mark McGrann who will relocate to Melbourne to take up the position of Senior Coach of the MSC at Ruyton program in Kew.
Lucky is an accredited Silver Licenced Coach (currently termed as Advanced) as well as a Life Member and a Certified Coach with American Swimming Coaches Association.
Lucky has an extensive background with over 30 years experience coaching swimmers from introductory to elite levels including serving as an Australian National Paralympic Team coach at the World Championships held at Durbin, South Africa in 2006 and Manchester UK in 2005.
Having moved from Victoria (after about 26 years) to accept the Head Swimming coaching position with Kwinana Swimming club in Western Australia since July 2021, Lucky was awarded the Swimming WA Development coach of the year 2022 in his first year. Prior to arriving in WA, he worked as Performance Manager and Assistant Head Coach at Geelong Swimming Club.
Lucky is well known for his ability to develop stroke technique as well as giving back to the swimming community by regularly conducting professional development forums to supporting his fellow coaches.
MSC Head Coach Ian Pope said: ‘I have known and worked with Lucky over a long period of time, so I am ecstatic to be able to work together again. Lucky is well respected and shows a good deal of care for his athletes, so he will be a great asset to the MSC Geelong program’.
Coach Weerakkody commented: ‘ I have always admired the way that Coach Pope has managed his training programs and I am very happy to be working closely with him by leading the MSC Geelong program. I already know several of the athletes and parents, so I look forward to working with the swimmers to achieve their goals. As a club, MSC has achieved some outstanding results since their establishment only two years ago and it is a great opportunity to build on the current foundations.’